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Meet the Team
Therapists
Amanda Kelly (she/her)
M.S., CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amanda Kelly is from Cary, North Carolina and is a Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 2017. After moving back home to work in the Wake County Public School system as a special educator, Amanda then pursued her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Appalachian State University and graduated in 2022. She is now back in the Triangle area and excited to join the TheraFriends team. Amanda has clinical experience working in private practice, preschool, daycare, home health, university clinic, charter school, and rehabilitation center settings. She has worked with children of all ages with diverse speech and language needs. Amanda has provided services in the areas of expressive and receptive language, articulation and phonology, early intervention, social communication, and alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Amanda is passionate about serving the pediatric population. As a neurodivergent individual herself, Amanda has a particular interest in working with the neurodivergent community in an affirming way. Amanda has always especially enjoyed working with autistic children and continually learning more about how neurodivergent brains work and thrive. Amanda strives to be a lifelong learner and is a firm believer in listening to the voices and perspectives of the populations she treats. One of Amanda’s current areas of study is working through NLA training (Natural Language Acquisition for gestalt language processors). She loves to implement child-led and play-based therapy to engage children in targeting their communication goals. Outside of work, Amanda’s other interests include writing poetry, researching psychology and health topics, and spending quality time with loved ones and pets. Amanda is thrilled to join the TheraFriends team and partner with children and their families in reaching their full potential.
Jessie Mewshaw (she/her)
M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessie was born and raised in Maryland. She moved to North Carolina with her now-husband after receiving her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University in 2014. Prior to becoming an SLP, Jessie worked with disabled and non-disabled children and adults in the U.S., South America, and Australia. These experiences ultimately led her to the field of speech-language pathology. She has worked as an SLP in early intervention, NC public schools, and in a multidisciplinary therapy clinic. Jessie is dedicated to providing neurodiversity-affirming communication services that respect the autonomy and unique strengths of each individual child, and partnering with families to create a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Jessie is NLA-trained (Natural Language Acquisition for gestalt language processors) and has a passion for working with neurodivergent youth of all ages. Jessie has two children of her own and enjoys family adventures in her free time.
Chelsea Carre (she/her)
MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Chelsea was raised in Cary, North Carolina since she was 5 years old. After receiving
her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University, she found her way back home as a pediatric occupational therapist. Prior to completing her OT program, she attended Meredith College to receive her Bachelors’ in Exercise and Sports Science as well as worked in the Meredith Autism Program. Between her undergraduate and graduate degree, she worked at Victory Junction, a SeriousFun camp, as a counselor for the summer. She also worked as an exercise coach and with the Autism Society of NC.
She has worked in a various of settings including clinics, homes, schools, and
community spaces. She has experience evaluating and treating kids ages 3-14 years old with diagnoses consisting of Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Motor skill deficits, social skill delays, emotional regulation difficulties, and executive functioning challenges. She has treated kids 1:1, in small social groups, and within classrooms. She enjoys and encourage parental involvement through hands-on interactions in treatment, questions throughout sessions,
and providing resources for parents. Together, she strives to create strong relationships with the child and families to provide the support and knowledge to achieve their goals for a happy and fulfilled life. Outside of working, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, outdoor activities (hiking, camping, rafting, rock climbing to name a few), trying new restaurants and coffee shops,
puzzles and board games, arts and crafts, and baking.